The 2021 Royal Ascot carnival is upon us!
The highlight of the flat racing season in the UK, the Royal Ascot carnival spans five days (Tuesday-Saturday) and consists of 35 races, with over £6million in prize money on offer, making it Britain’s most valuable racing carnival.
We’re set to see the best flat horses from Britain and Ireland, with eight Group 1 races contested over the carnival.
Day 2 features the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, which is Race 4 on the card.
Once again we’ve partnered with the team at Tips4Punters (@tips4punters) to bring you local insights and betting tips for every day of the carnival.
Royal Ascot 2021 – Day 2 Betting Tips
Race 1 – Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)
Plenty of Group 2 action today starting with the Queen Mary Stakes, with the only Group 1 of the day the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes coming later on on the card. 22 runners in the opening race on Day 2. Plenty to talk about in this.
Let’s start with the US runners who will head the market. Wes Ward runs Twilight Gleaming last seen destroying 5 rivals on the turf at Belmont Park winning by 7½ lengths. John Velazquez up.
The other is Artos for trainer George Arnold II, who on debut chased home Ruthin (fav for the Windsor Castle Stakes tomorrow) in a 3 runner Maiden on the turf at Keeneland, has since won at Churchill Downs. Frankie Dettori rides.
For the home team Nymphadora for Andrew Balding lines up in this Group 2 race after winning the Listed Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at York on her last start. Taking the step up from Listed to a Group 2 and expect her to progress.
Back in trip Desert Dreamer looks sure to go well for Stuart Williams, she is 2-2 both the wins at Newmarket over 5f and 6f. Oisin Murphy up.
For Ireland Aidan O’Brien runs Yet who won on debut at Dundalk on the AW (all-weather) last month beating Orinoco River (runs in this) that day. 2 more worthy of a mention are Illustrating and Get Ahead.
Wide open race but I am siding with the US runner ARTOS.
Tip: (1) Artos $8.50 TAB
Race 2 – Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
Aidan O’Brien runs three in the Queen’s Vase and the one to concentrate on from his three is Wordsworth. Only just beaten by a stablemate in a Listed race at Navan. More to come.
His other runner Arturo Toscanini is worth a mention ahead of stablemate Kyprios.
His son Joseph has two runners in the race, for me the one with the best chance is probably Ruling. Recently third in a listed race at Leopardstown.
Kemari and Stowell get a mention but the one I fancy is the son of Frankel, TAIPAN for Jess Harrington. Won on debut over in Ireland at Naas. Since then, has run respectfully in three Group 3’s in Ireland. Blinkers go on and that could be the difference.
Race 3 – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Group 2)
The standout horse in this race is LADY BOWTHORPE for William Jarvis. 2nd in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, before that beating Queen Power (runs in this) by a head in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket. Worth noting both Lady Bowthorpe and Queen Power have a 3lb penalty.
The other intriguing runner in this is the Jess Harrington trained Valeria Messalina who at a price could go very well. Won and placed in two Group 3 races last year including one at Glorious Goodwood. Worth a shout each way.
Tip: (2) Lady Bowthorpe $3.10 Ladbrokes
Race 4 – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
Aidan O’Brien is strong handed in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes with Armory and Love. Starting with LOVE who crushed rivals in the Group 1 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. Top class filly.
Aidan’s other runner Armory was last seen winning the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester (beating Sangarius who runs in this) prior to that he was 2nd in the Group 1 Cox Plate at the Valley in October. Plenty of respectful graded action on his CV and could give Love and Dubai Turf winner Lord North something to think about.
All you need is love and I would love to see her continue her fine form and win this.
Race 5 – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
A big field of 30 runners for the Royal Hunt Cup. I managed to whittle it down starting with the John and Thady Gosden trained MAGICAL MORNING who was 2nd to Matthew Flinders (runs in this) when last seen at Doncaster. Dettori up.
Andrea Atzeni rides Finest Sound for Simon and Ed Crisford and has a good chance along with Maydanny who was 2nd on reappearance at Newmarket. Hollie Doyle had a good winner on Tuesday with Amtiyaz at a big price. She rides Beat Le Bon for Richard Hannon, each way player.
Tip: (14) Magical Morning $8.00 Bet365
Race 6 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
Wes Ward has a good chance of taking this, either with RUTHIN or Golden Bell. Ruthin battered Artos (runs in the Queen Mary) by 6 lengths on debut at Keeneland on the turf, was ridden by Joel Rosario that day but has Dettori in the saddle now. Stablemate Golden Bell also won well on dirt at Keenland winning by 5 ¼ lengths in a 3 runner race on debut.
Dig Two trained by Hugo Palmer is another am interested in. Winner on the turf at Newmarket and recently seen winning on the AW at Chelmsford. Jumping up in grade but not to be underestimated.
Amalfi Coast for Aidan O’Brien deserves a mention also.
Tip: (28) Ruthin $3.25 Sportsbet
Race 7 – Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Handicap)
The last race on the card revolves around Dreamloper and Lights On in my opinion and by the looks of the betting. DREAMLOPER was 2nd to Lights On only beaten a short head at Ascot in early May. Dreamloper is on better terms with that one now and I fancy her to turn the tables around this time.
I also want to chuck in Lola Showgirl for the each way.
Tip: (5) Dreamloper $5.50 TopSport
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